Video – A tyre exploded and flew off an aircraft pushback tug at Hong Kong airport

A tyre exploded and flew off an aircraft pushback tug, while pulling a plane at Hong Kong airport on Tuesday.

The tyre flew off seconds after the aircraft being pushed back from the departure gate for its flight to Seoul.

The tug is owned and operated by Pan Asia Pacific Aviation Services (PAPAS), a ground handling and maintenance services company contracted to operate at Hong Kong International Airport. The company is a joint venture between Hong Kong Airlines, SIA Engineering Company, Malaysia Airlines, Garuda Indonesia and Royal Brunei.

Flight HX628 left the gate at 10.42am and took off at 10.58am, later than the original 10am departure time.